More MINI Variants Confirmed w/Production Likely Outside the UK

Craig Feb 5th, 2007 Link

I guess you can expect a fun trip like this past weekend, once a year for the next few years? Lucky man!

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VMMVMMM Feb 5th, 2007 Link

Would one of those new “productions” be the R56 JCW car, though? If they are treating these like M versions of BMW cars, that is probably one of the models he is talking about.

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j Feb 5th, 2007 Link

i just got this month’s motor trend and in it is a list of about 50 cars that will be coming out in the near future. the did have (what looked like a computer ill.) a mini moke. basically they when into exactly what we’v been going over- that car is bigger all over which allows for AWD. Gabe, any more news on the “speedster”/ “roadster” version?

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J.Melrose Feb 5th, 2007 Link

I was going to guess that a JCW-built roadster seemed like a likely candidate. 2 seats and built for all out speed.

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BartMack Feb 5th, 2007 Link

I personally hope they do a 2 seater fastback (think DB5)… THAT would get my attention back over to MINI… otherwise, I think I’m done….

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BG Feb 5th, 2007 Link

One of the US mags had a 4X4 Mini SUV looking thing in it this month. Either Motor Trend or Car and Driver. I just got it in the mail so I’m not sure if it’s Feb issue or March but it’s the latest edition.

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BG Feb 5th, 2007 Link

Probably the same thing J saw.

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Drill Feb 5th, 2007 Link

Any chance he was counting the JCW Coupe as a separate model? If MINI does what’s been rumored and ONLY make the JCW’s from the factory AND it’s built with a factory exclusive body kit, then that may be it :-(

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gokartride Feb 5th, 2007 Link

Okay, my jaw just dropped, too! Here we’re approaching the 50th anniversary of the Mini and this juggernaut shows no sign of slowing down. What a fascinating marque to watch!!!

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lavardera Feb 5th, 2007 Link

The GP must have made it clear that there is a market for a two seat Mini. I see a two door with a folding hard top coming. Look out miatas!

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SB Feb 5th, 2007 Link

I’d love to see a MINI roadster.

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Bud Feb 6th, 2007 Link

Anticipating new models will keep our imaginations working O.T. I am sure.

Perhaps MINI should consider more engine variants as well as body configurations. GM has a turbine powered vehicle that may never see the light of a showroom but nonetheless excited all onlookers at the NAAS a few weeks ago.

Let’s start by bringing the MINI Diesel to America this year and next year Let’s motor with AWD! That’s what I’d like to see materialize ASAP.

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Bilbo Baggins Feb 6th, 2007 Link

I would truely see something as close as possible to an R53 with AWD/Twinster drivetrain. Taught suspension, raspy exhaust, plenty of horsepower potential, throaty intake growl/howl.

Mmmmmmmm, makes my knees weak just thinking about it.

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Crusoe Feb 6th, 2007 Link

The MINI truck!

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O(=^=)O Capn Feb 6th, 2007 Link

I am shocked! This flys in the face of everything that the Mini or MINI stands for! A Truck! AWD?!? A Convertible!! A Wagon! There never were, nor ever should be any such nonsense! Sunroofs are horrible, An MCS with an automatic trans?!? Wrong! The Engine is too big! It should just be MAX 1200cc. Anything bigger just goes against tradition.

I could live with training wheels on it though, so when you corner at high speeds you don’t roll it. The ultimate in classic DSC. Yeah, do away with DSC too!

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Jimskater Feb 6th, 2007 Link

Capn,

Methinks you are being facetious.

:)

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O(=^=)O Capn Feb 6th, 2007 Link

Facetious? We can’t have any of that in a MINI either!

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Car Crowd » Blog Archive » 5 more MINIs in 5 years Feb 6th, 2007 Link

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5 more new MINIs in 5 years | eGMCarTech the CarTech Mag - brought to you by eGadgetMag Feb 6th, 2007 Link

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MINI to have 4 or 5 models in the next 5 years - Auto Insider News Feb 6th, 2007 Link

[...] ## Source: Motoring File ## [...]

Larry Feb 7th, 2007 Link

I agree with you Bud. A Mini with a diesel & AWD; make it a clubman too!

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Greg W Feb 8th, 2007 Link

Hmmm….does this mean MINI could be assembled at Spartanburg??? just for USA market?

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MotoringFile » 2007 » February » 28 Feb 28th, 2007 Link

[...] MF Select Featured Articles 2007 MINI Cooper & Cooper S Reviewed 2007 MINI Reader Reviews More MINI Variants Officially Confirmed MINI’s Future Models Revealed 2007 MINI Q&A MINI’s Top Secret Colorado Project (aka R58) BMW To Re-Brand JCW MINI USA’s Motorby Pilot Program R56 Pedestrian Crash Analysis 2007 MINI In Detail (Part 2 / Part 3) 2007 MINI Official Photos (Part 2 / Part 3) 2007 JCW Accessories Revealed MINI Names the R55: The Clubman MF Design Analysis: 2007 MINI [...]

MotoringFile » Archive » MotorTrend Reports on MINI’s Cross-Over Apr 16th, 2007 Link

[...] for years now that MINI has eyes on a cross-over (soft-roader if you will) type of vehicle. We also broke the news about production locations outside the UK (most like South Carolina or Austria). However it’s [...]

tgaz Oct 26th, 2007 Link

The new mini AWD will be a beefed up version of the clubman, not very imaginative. As for other reader comments on not going above a 1.2 engine, well the original mini’s had a 1.3 and if you put anything that small in the car it would be quite slugish. As for sticking to original mini prinipals, in my day it was morris, austin, BL or rover mini now it’s just mini — one, cooper or cooper S no model so when they put these trims on the clubman it becomes realy confusing. It’s sad to see BMW pandering to an american market and turning a British icon which stood for getting the most out of a small car, into a fat gas guzzling suv, instead they should bring out a small car to rival the smart for two which is closer to mini’s true herritage. And as for being built outside the UK, well the original was made outside the UK as well at times but then they aren’t true mini’s and never will be as will be the same for the current model.

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